Don’t Ask For Volunteers, Invite Them

“I have more volunteers than I know what to do with.” – Said no kidmin leader ever.

Volunteers can be hard to come by, and it requires constant and consistent recruitment to add to your team. As you navigate what it looks like to build a team for your ministry, consider a subtle but intentional shift in the language you use:

Rather than asking for volunteers to serve in your ministry, invite them into the story of what God is doing in your ministry.

Think about the difference between an ask vs an invitation. An ask implies they’re doing you a favor, while an invitation is something they want to be part of. An ask can be ambiguous with no definitive boundaries while an invitation provides clear details and descriptions. An ask communicates that you just need help – anybody’s help, while an invitation shows a clear, specific place for that person’s particular gifts and presence.

So when recruiting new volunteers to your team, remember some key elements of an invitation and incorporate them into your conversations and language:

• Invitations imply a celebration. When you’re invited to something, it’s usually to celebrate an important milestone, an achievement, or just to spend time in community with others. When joining your team, you want volunteers to feel like they’re being included in a special community of people who celebrate important things. Communicate the big picture and the vision of what your volunteers do: They’re not just stuffing Easter eggs; they’re helping you reach the community and helping families make memories. They’re not just rocking babies; they’re laying the foundation that church is a safe place. They’re not just a small group leader; they’re helping kids form a faith community that leads to lifelong faith.
• Invitations are personal. When inviting someone, you often address them personally, recognizing their unique gifts and passions. In volunteer recruitment, go beyond a general ask—acknowledge specific skills or experiences that make the individual a great fit for the ministry or even for a specific role. “I notice how joyful you are – I think our preschool ministry needs your joy!” “I love how you thoughtfully answer questions about faith – our preteens would benefit from that kind of intentional leadership!”
• Invitations have a clear day and time, often with a beginning and ending time for the party. Give new volunteers a clear start and end date so they see a set amount of time they’ll be serving and won’t feel like they’re signing their life away. This gives them space to shift roles or positions if the first one they try isn’t a good fit.
• Invitations are fun! There’s usually a theme for the party, and the way you communicate about serving in your ministry will subliminally influence the way volunteers think about serving in your ministry. So communicate with passion, excitement, and fun! Avoid begging or sounding apologetic for inviting them to your team.
• Invitations give a clear next step. Usually, you have to RSVP to an invitation, even if you’re declining the invite. Communicate your invitation to serve in such a way that gives volunteers a clear next step, even if their answer is no. Tell them how to sign up for the onboarding process, or ask them to let you know if they don’t think it would be a good fit. Then follow up with those who don’t respond; make them say no rather than assuming their answer is no if they don’t respond.

Inviting people into the story of what God is doing in your ministry goes beyond simply filling volunteer positions. It’s about sharing a compelling vision, building personal connections, being descriptive and detailed, and offering clear next steps. When you approach volunteer recruitment as an invitation to join in God’s work, you create a deeper sense of purpose and community, encouraging others to not just serve but to become active participants in the life-changing work of the gospel.

Explore all our favorite volunteer resources here!